Fables for the Fair/Fable 7
THE WOMAN WHO MADE A CONQUEST
THE WOMAN WHO MADE A CONQUEST
THERE was once a Woman who Succeeded in Attaching to Herself a very Eligible young Man. She had Taken great Pains to do this, and she was very Much Gratified at the Result of her Labors. So was Her Mother. They Walked upon the Pier daily with the Young Man to Show him Off.
"See what my Daughter has Done for Herself!" said the Mother. "And yet it was Nothing to her—she Accomplished it all Very Easily. They are as Good As Engaged. It is Wonderful how my daughter Attracts Everybody."
The Other Women heard this and Resented It. "If She can Attract him so Easily," said they, "it would Be a Pity if We could Not."
And they Set About it with Such Zeal that in a Few Days the eligible Young Man decided that with So Many to Choose From he need Not Make Up his Mind Immediately, and the Woman's Opportunity was Lost. Then her Mother Regretted her Premature Satisfaction, but it was Too Late.
This teaches us that She Laughs Best who Laughs Least.